Mexico vs Ecuador

State Farm Stadium forms the backdrop for a ‘make or break’ 2024 Copa America Group B showdown between Mexico and Ecuador.

Shell-shocked after losing captain Edson Alvarez to a hamstring injury in a narrow 1-0 triumph against Jamaica on day one, Mexico unfathomably lost to Venezuela by the same scoreline on Wednesday as Orbelin Pineda wasted a late penalty. His miss could return to haunt El Tri as they need a win against Ecuador to reach the Copa America knockout stages, just as they did in 2016. The Mexicans have made it out of a group phase in eight of their ten previous tournament appearances. Yet, three defeats across their last four internationals (W1) paint a bleak picture for manager Jaime Lozano ahead of this pivotal fixture. With Mexico making three managerial changes since the 2022 World Cup, anything other than a win could end his faltering tenure.

In the meantime, Enner Valencia’s first-half red card cost Ecuador dearly against Venezuela in their Group B curtain-raiser (1-2). Unfazed by the early shock, Felix Sanchez Bas’ side went from strength to strength against Jamaica on Wednesday, claiming a 3-1 win to get on the cusp of a second consecutive Copa America knockout qualification for the first time since 1959 and 1963. Simply avoiding defeat against Mexico would do the trick. Despite entering this clash as underdogs, the Ecuadorians will take the field in high spirits after going unbeaten in three of their last four encounters against El Tri (W2, D1, L1). Adding to Ecuador’s confidence, the abovementioned upset against Venezuela remains one of only four losses across their last 16 internationals (W10, D2).